By Mercy Roland
CEO, MercySpeaks Initiatives
As we step into a new year, I make a sincere call to all parents: please talk to your teenagers.
Our teens are growing up in a fast changing world one filled with pressure, misinformation, social media influence, and silent struggles. Many of them are learning about life from the internet and peers, simply because the voices at home are quiet or absent.
This new year, let us be intentional.
Parents, talk to your teens about:
• Self-worth and identity
• Peer pressure and healthy friendships
• Social media, boundaries, and online safety
• Respect, responsibility, and personal values
• Dreams, goals, and life choices
Create safe spaces where they can speak without fear of punishment or judgment. Listen more than you lecture. Correct with love, not anger. Remember, guidance is more effective when it is given with understanding.
Teenagers may not always say it, but they need your voice, your presence, and your direction now more than ever.
Let us raise teenagers who are confident, informed, emotionally healthy, and prepared for the future.
This year, let home be their first place of learning, safety, and support.
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